Biography

Mohanlal was born on May 21, 1960(which incidentally makes him a Taurean, and he seems to fit the bill) in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala State (India) to Sri Viswanathan Nair and Smt. Santhakumari. He also had an elder brother named Pyare Lal. In his mother's own words, 'quite, a very quite child' is how we can characterize young Mohanlal.

He did his schooling from Mudavanmukal School and Model School (Thiruvananthapuram) and completed his B.com from M.G. College (Thiruvananthapuram). Incidentally, he knows famous director and his personal good friend Priyadarsan(with whom he has worked in the maximum no. of films -29) from childhood. Though not the best of friends at the time (Priyan recalls them fighting over the same girls), they had one common passion that brought them together-Cinema. Priyadarsan still fondly remembers the hours they'd spend together in the college canteen discussing cinema.

It is a little known fact that Mohanlal won a Best Actor Award when in the sixth standard in school, an award usually won only by the people from tenth standard. His genuine interest led him and his friends to establish a company named 'Bharath Cine Group'. On September 3, 1978 they began shooting for 'Thiranottam'. The team included Suresh Kumar, Unni, Priyadarsan, S.Kumar, Ashok Kumar among others. Mohanlal played the role of a mentally challenged servant in the film. The location for shooting was in and around Mohanlal's house at Mudavanmukal and Suresh's house. Even after tiding over financial problems, the film ran into rough weather with the Censor Board and was never released.

But this setback did little to sway the hold of deep love for acting. Even when in college, he went with friends to Chennai (then Madras)-one of the melting pots for South Indian Film Industry-in search of a job as an actor. They occupied Room No 3 of the famous Swamy's lodge. This is when they came across an ad in the Malayala Manorama daily looking for a youngster for a role in a film. Unhappy with the way he looked in photograph, he declined from applying. But Suresh, aware of his natural talent, secretly sent his photograph anyway. Mohanlal received a telegram the next day and very soon was displaying his skills in front of an interview panel comprising of the likes of Fazil, Sibi Malayil and Jijo. As a result, he received the role of the villain in Fazil's 'Manjil Virinja Pookal'.

This began his fulltime career as an actor in Malayalam films. A workhorse, he would at one time have 35-40 releases in a year. His major break came in 1986 with the all-time hit 'Rajavinte Makan'. This was also the year when he married Suchitra, daughter of a former actor of Tamil films, Balaji.

He won his first State Award for the film T.P.Balagopalan M.A (1986). He has won 4 of them to date. He won his first Filmfare Award for the film Sanmanasullavarkku Samadhaanam (1986). He has won 5 Filmfare Awards to date. He won his first National Best Actor Award for the film Kireedam released in 1989-albeit the jury award. Later he won Best Actor National Awards for Bharatham (1991) and Vaanaprastham (1999). Apart from this, he has won numerous awards over the years for various films.

The hallmark of Mohanlal's acting is the spontaneity of performance. It is quite a well-known fact that he dosen't seriously rehearse or prepare for his roles. He just becomes the character he is playing for the duration between 'Action' and 'Cut'. So it is not uncommon to hear a reply like 'I don't know' from him when asked about how he carries out something like not blinking when he turns mentally retarded in the film 'Thalavattam', a characteristic even he wasn't aware of at the time; about how he gets the nuances so very right. In his own words " If you study it and then act the role, everything will flounder. Good acting just happens. And personally I don't think one needs to work on the character unless one plays a historical character." For those in front of the screen (the audience), the best thing about Mohanlal is his versatility. It seems he can play absolutely any role under the sun convincingly. And unlike many versatile actors who have traded intensity owing to their versatility, Mohanlal can be most intense if the role demands, the proof being his performances in the numerous action films he's worked in. Priyadarsan calls him the best actor India has ever produced.

Mohanlal established Pranavam Arts to be able to produce the kind of films he had an intense desire to create. And 'Beautiful' is the least we can say to describe some of his creations. His film 'Kaalapani', released in 1995, won 5 National and 7 State Awards. Another splendid creation, 'Vaanaprastham', released in 1999 won the National Award for Best Film and best actor

In recent years, he has concentrated on working on one film at a time to devote more to quality. In his own words, he's more concerned about whether the script is a good one or not rather than whether the movie will be a big hit or not. A gentle human, he'd do films for friends regardless of the kind of project and the monetary returns. His jovial behaviour with cast and crew has endeared him to one and all.

Mohanlal's innate character is guided by the principle of lack of attachment. He was witness to an unfortunate incident wherein an actor with whom he was performing suddenly collapsed to death in front of him. This incident created a deep impact on his attitude to life. It explains his outlook to life and the reason he has now set his priorities the way he has.

Initially averse to working in Tamil films (his reason being 'too much masala' in them), he has now been part of quite a few, including the controversial 'Iruvar' loosely based on the life of Tamil actor and former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu M.G.R. directed by the very famous director Mani Ratnam. He commented after the making "Hereafter, I will never work with a man of whom I am a fan." The reason being he often forgot to say 'Cut' while shooting!!!

His commitment to his roles is seen in his involvement during the making of the film. It is a well-known fact that he learnt Bharatnatyam for his role in 'Kamaladalam' and learnt 'Kathakali' for his role in 'Vaanaprastham'. Though, typical of this simple and humble human, he often downplays his efforts pointing that it is nothing in comparison to what the masters of the art have put in during years of practice.

Leading a contented life in Chennai (Tamil Nadu) with his wife and two children (Pranavam and Vismaya), he leads a life convinced that there is a force above guiding him through life to whom he gives credits for all his achievements.

We mortals can only wait and pray to continue to be witnesses to the performance of his art while he continues to leave footprints on the sands of time through the medium of cinema.


PROFILE


Name: Mohanlal

Date of birth: 1960 May 21

Birth Place Pathanamthitta

Father: Viswanathan Nair

Mother: Santhakumari

Brother: Late Pyare Lal

Wife: Suchitra

Children: Pranav, Vismaya

Address: 11-A Manohan Ave.Casa Major Road,Egmore, Chennai- 600008

Phone Ph: 044-8250493

Official Website www.mohanlalonline.com

Other Website Mohanlal.bizhat.com

Education Schooling: Mudavanmukal School and Model School, Thiruvananthapuram.

College: B.Com from M.G. College, Thiruvananthapuram

First Film: Thiranottam

Malayalam Date of Birth: 1135, Idavam 8th, Revathi Nakshathram.

Other Business: Pranavam Arts(Production Company)

Pranamam Release(Distribution Company)

Director of Uni Royal Marian Exports, Calicut.

Mohanlal's Taste Buds(spices, pickles etc.)

Visual Magic (TV Production Company)

Vismaya Max (Studio)

Harber Market(Restaurant, Banglore)

Show Times

SHOW TIME

TRIVANDRUM
___________

Show Times: 11.30 pm, 2.30pm, 6.00pm, 9.00pm

Kairali   A/C DTS


Show Times: 12.30 pm, 3.30pm, 6.30pm, 9.30pm

ERNAKULAM
_________
Shenays  A/C DTS


Show Times: 12.00 pm, 3.00pm, 6.00pm, 9.00pm

KOZHIKODE
_________
Radha   A/C DTS


Show Times: 11.30 pm, 2.30pm, 6.00pm, 9.00pm

KOTTAYAM
________
Anupama   A/C DTS



Show Times: 11.30 pm, 2.30pm, 6.00pm, 9.00pm

PALAKKAD
________
Aroma   A/C DTS



Show Times: 11.30 pm, 2.30pm, 6.00pm, 9.00pm

THRISSUR
________
Jose  A/C DTS


Show Times: 11.30 pm, 2.30pm, 6.00pm, 9.00pm


ALAPPUZHA
_________
Veerayya   A/C DTS


Show Times: 11.30 pm, 2.30pm, 6.00pm, 9.00pm

KOLLAM
______


Show Times: 11.30 pm, 2.30pm, 6.00pm, 9.00pm

KANNUR
______
Savitha Film City   A/C DTS



Show Times: 11.30 pm, 2.30pm, 6.00pm, 9.00pm

MAVELIKKARA
___________
Santhosh   A/C DTS


Show Times: 11.30 pm, 2.30pm, 6.00pm, 9.00pm

THALASSERY
__________
Prabha


Show Times: 11.30 pm, 2.30pm, 6.00pm, 9.00pm

CHANGANASSERY
_____________
Apsara   A/C DTS


Show Times: 11.30 pm, 2.30pm, 6.00pm, 9.00pm

VADAKARA
________
Kerala Coir   A/C DTS


Show Times: 11.30 pm, 2.30pm, 6.00pm, 9.00pm

CHALAKKUDI
__________
Aynikkal   A/C DTS


Show Times: 11.30 pm, 2.30pm, 6.00pm, 9.00pm

AATINGAL
________
Vishakha   A/C DTS


Show Times: 11.30 pm, 2.30pm, 6.00pm, 9.00pm

PATHANAMTHITTA
______________
Anurag DTS


Show Times: 11.30 pm, 2.30pm, 6.00pm, 9.00pm

NILAMBOOR
_________
Rajeswari   A/C DTS


Show Times: 11.30 pm, 2.30pm, 6.00pm, 9.00pm

MUVATTUPUZHA
____________
Vettukattil   A/C DTS


Show Times: 11.30 pm, 2.30pm, 6.00pm, 9.00pm

SHORNUR
_______
Melam   A/C DTS


Show Times: 11.30 pm, 2.30pm, 6.00pm, 9.00pm

CHERTHALA
_________
Chithranjali   DTS


Show Times: 11.30 pm, 2.30pm, 6.00pm, 9.00pm

THIROOR
________
Chithraa Sagar   A/C DTS


Show Times: 11.30 pm, 2.30pm, 6.00pm, 9.00pm

KASARGOD
_________
Mehaboob Complex   A/C DTS

Show Times: 11.30 pm, 2.30pm, 6.00pm, 9.00pm

PAYYANNUR
__________
Aradhana   A/C DTS


Show Times: 11.30 pm, 2.30pm, 6.00pm, 9.00pm

PERINTHALMANNA
_______________
Savitha   A/C DTS


Show Times: 11.30 pm, 2.30pm, 6.00pm, 9.00pm

KODUGALLOOR
____________
Kaleeswari   A/C DTS


Show Times: 11.30 pm, 2.30pm, 6.00pm, 9.00pm

KARUNAGAPPALLI
_______________
Krishna DTS


Show Times: 11.30 pm, 2.30pm, 6.00pm, 9.00pm

PALA
____
Universal


Show Times: 11.30 pm, 2.30pm, 6.00pm, 9.00pm

KANJANGAD
__________
Deepthi


Show Times: 11.30 pm, 2.30pm, 6.00pm, 9.00pm

ADOOR
______
Nayanam


Show Times: 11.30 pm, 2.30pm, 6.00pm, 9.00pm

Future Projects

Kurukshethra



Banner: Damor Cinemas
Director: Major Ravi
Producer: Santhosh Damodharan
cinematography: Lokanathan
Story, Screenplay, Dialogue: Major Ravi
Lyrics: Gireesh Puthenchery
Music: Siddhardh
Distribution: Damor Cinema Release
Cast: Mohanlal, Tanya, Biju Menon, Siddique, Bineesh Kodiyeri, Suraj Venjaramoodu, Cochin Haneefa, Kannan Pattambi
Release: 08 October 2008

Red Chillies



Banner: Rajaputhra Films
Director: Shaji Kailas
Producer: Ranjith
Cinematography: Shaji
Story, Screenplay, Dialogue: A.K Sajan
Distribution: Vishakha Release
Cast: Mohanlal, Siddique, Vijayaraghavan, Bheeman Raghu
Release: 2008 Christmas Release

Sagar Alias Jacky



Banner: Aashirwad Cinemas
Director: Amal Neerad
Producer: Antony Perumbavoor
Cinematography: Amal Neerad
Story, Screenplay, Dialogue: S.N Swami
Distribution: Max Entertainments Release
Cast: Mohanlal, Nayantara, Meena
Release: 2009 Vishu Release

Casanova



Banner: Imprasario Mortion Pictures
Director: Roshan Andrews
Producer: Imprasario Mortion Pictures
Cinematography: Divakar
Story, Screenplay, Dialogue: Bobby Sanjay
Lyrics: Vayalar Sarathchandra Varma
Music: Alex Paul
Distribution: Vishakha Release
Release: 2008 Christmas Release

Swapnamalika



Director: Devarajan
cinematography: Venu
Story: Mohanlal
Screenplay, Dialogue: S. Suresh Babu
Music: M.G Sreekumar
Cast: Mohanlal, Meera Jasmine, Innocent, Jagathy, Babu Namboothiri
Release: 2008

Other Projects

Albert film Nairsan team up with Jackie Chan.
Anwar Rasheed film, written by Sachi-Sethu. Produced by Sree Bhadra Pictures.
Joshi film Cheguvera, written by A.K Sajan. Produced by Sasi Ayyanchira
Lal Jose film Cousins, written by Dr. Iqbal Kuttippuram
Sibi Malayil - Lohithadas film Produced by Johny Sagariga
Blessy film Produced by Raagam Movies

Film News



Kurukshetra releasing on 08/10/2008

Swapnamalika third schedule will be at Nagarcoil. Lal given 10days for this schedule.

Mohanlal - Anwar Rasheed film script completed.

Nairsan postponed.

Mohanlal celebrated his 30 years in Malayalam cinema with his friends and colleagues at Cochin in the set of Red Chillies.

Shaji Kailas's Red Chillies started at Ernakulam. Lal given 12 days for the first schedule. Mohanlal will be going to Chaina for the work of Nairsan after the first schedule. The second schedule of Red Chillies will be at Dubai. It will be the X'Mas release for Mohanlal.

Roshan Andrews has postponed the shooting of Casanova to the next feb. as he wants 60 continuous days of Mohanlal. Notebook fame Bobby-Sanjay will be doing the script.

Kurkshethra Audio released by Manorama Music. Music by Sidharth Vipin, Lyrics : Gireesh Puthenchery & Bombay S Kamal

Mohanlal got the best actor Award for Paradeshi in Jaihind TV Film Awards.

Mohanlal completed first schedule of Pakal Nakshathrangal. Direction Rajeev Nath

Red Chillies: Mohanlal, Shaji Kailas team up again. Script: A.K Sajan. Christmas Release.

Sagar Alias Jacky : Next Vishu will be with Amal Neerad's Sagar Alias Jacky, second part of Irupatham Noottandu. S N Swamy will be the Writer.

Casanova : Roshan Andrews Casanovas is a Love Story. Main locations will be Malaysia and Bangkok. It will release on Feb 2009.

Mohanlal got Filmfare award for Paradesi.

Kurukshethra Kargil schedule completed.

Lal in Japanese film Nairsan. Action Star Jacky Chan will also be acting in this film. Lal is doing the role of a freedom fighter in this 60crore budgeted film. Kanne madanguka fame Albert will be doing the screen play and direction of the film. Lal has given 125 days dates starting from September. It will release all over the world in Japanese and English.

Lohithadas is planning to take film with lal named Bheeshmar.

Lal is in Varanasi for the 2nd schedule of Swapnamalika.

Madambi's release has been preponed to Jul 4th. It will be releasing on 50 centers. Ajantha(Tvm), Shenoys(Ekm), Radha(Clt), Ragam(Thr)

Mizhikal Sakshi will be releasing on Jun20th.

Major Ravi's Kargil has been renamed as Kurukshethra. Shooting starting from Jun 13th. Lal will be joing on 20th after completing the 10 days second schedule of Swapnamalika at Varanasi.

LalJose Film named Cousins. Prithwiraj will be the cousin of lal in this movie. Shooting will be held at Goa, Bangalore and Kerala from Aug.

Roshan Andrew's film named as Casanova. Notebook fame Bobby-Sanjay will be doing the script.

Ashirwad Cinimas next film will be directed by Amal Neerad. Story will of S N Swamy.

Mohanlal in Kamal's Film.

Lal and Mukesh is performing Chayamughi for the second time at Nishagandhi, Tvm on May 11th.

Devarajan's Swapnamalika started at Navodaya Studio, Kochi. British Actress Alena and Meera Jasmin are the heroine. Lal him self has written the story and Suresh Babu is doing the script. Music has been composed by M G Sreekumar. IDBI has given 4crs. loan for making this film.

Lal doing the role of Gopalakrishnapillai in Madambi, B Unnikrishnan Film. He is doing the role of a local financer who admires Malayalam language very much. Kavya Madhavan will be the heroine in this movie. Lal is singing a poem written by Anil Panachooran in this film. Innocent, Jagathi, Sidhique etc. are the other main actors in the movie.

Lal in and as Cheguvera in Joshi's new film. Script by A K Sajan.

Anwar Rasheed is planning a film with Lal.

Mohanlal got Film Critics Award for Paradeshi.

College Kumaran running successfully allover Kerala.

Sathyan Anthikkad film shooting going on at Cochin. Mera Jasmin is the heroine.

Lal doing an action role in Twenty20.

Lal as a Magician in new commer K A Devarajan's Swapanamalika, Prithviraj also doing a major role in the film - Pooja held at Vismaya Max.

Lal as Madambi in B Unnikrishnan's (Smart City Fame) film.

Lal as Kernel Mahadevan in Major Ravi's Kargil. Shooting will be on next May-Jun at Kashmir. Lal has given continuous 90 days for Kargil.

LalJose Film named cousins. Prithwiraj will be the cousin of lal in this movie. Shooting will be held at Goa, Bangalore and Kerala on next Aug.

Amma's multistarer film is named Twenty 20. Lal will be doing the role of Dilip's elder brother. Shooting started at Kochi. Joshie is doing the director with the screenplay of Siby-Udayan.

4 horeines for lal in Karthikeyan Thirunal- Parvathi Milton, Namitha, Swetha Menon, Padmapriya. Shooting will start form Mar'08.

Sibi + Lohithadas film will start on Apr'08.

Major Ravi started the scripting for Kargil, a big budget (8 crs) film, to be made in all major languages. Actors from all languages will be participating in the movie. Mohanlal also doing a major role in the film.

Roshan Andrews will be doing the 4th part of Nadodikkattu. James Albert will be the script writer.

The Film Alibhai Released with a huge celeberation by Fans. The first show started at 10 AM at Trivandrum New Theater. Antony Perumbaavur also joined the celeberations.

Rock n'Roll first schedule completed at Chennai. Lal joined for College Kumaran on Aug10th at TVM.

Rock n'Roll is planned to release on Nov 8th. A song is to be shooted at Paris

Lal doing double roll in Joshi's film. A K Sajan is the script writer.

1.5 lacs stickers has been printed for Alibhai.

Lal got injured during the climax shooting of Alibhai.


Alibhai will be releasing on Aug 15th, Paradeshi is postponed to ramzan.

Alibhai Climax will shoot in Tuticurin.

Sholay renamed as Ramgopal Varma ke Aag. It will be August release.

Lal will join for Renjith's Rock'n Roll first schedule on Jul 15th. Pooja held at Calicut Maharani Hotel. Lal is doing the role drummer Chandra Mouli. He has given 20 days for it. Second Schedule will start from Sep25th.

Sibimalayil+Bhasurachandran film will start from Sept 20th.

Smart city fame B Unnikrishnan is planning to direct a Lal film.

HALLO released in Kerala. The first show started at 8.30 AM at trivandrm Sreekumar Theater.Huge crowd standing out for the next show.(11.00AM)

Rafi Mecartin Film HALLO releasing this Thursday(5th July)

College Kumaran shooting starting from August first week. First schedule will be at Trivandrum and second will be at Thrissur. Lal will be having 6 heroines in this film. Vimala, Samvritha Sunil, Ramya Nambeesan and 3 new comers. Film is planned to release on Jan26,2008.

Hello is releasing on Jul 5th.

Mohanlal is acting in Renjith's film Sound of Music as a Drummer. Main Location will be Chennai. Music will be done by Vidya Sagar.

Kamalahasan is acting with lal in Major Ravi's film, which will be based on the story of a plane hijack.

Hello Songs are released by Satyam audios and showing on all Television channels.

Mohanlal writing story for a film. Film will be named as Swapnamalika produced by Karimbil Films and directed by K A Devarajan. Premier Show will be at Hollywoods Film Market.

Alibhai shooting going on at Pollachi. Calicut Valiyangadi has been recreated in Pollachi for the shooting. First Schedule will be tilll Jun 20th. Second schedule will start at Calicut on Jun21st.

Lal as Mithun Madhav in Sibimalayil+Bhasurachandran film. Shooting will start from Sept 15th. Chalakkudy, Ernakulam and Bangalore will be the location.

Shafi planning a film with Mohanlal.

Antony Perumbavoor is thinking about taking the continuation of Irupatham Noottandu with SN Swami and Shaji Kailas, film may be
named as Ee Irupathi Onnam Noottandu.

Sibi Malayil and Bhasurachandrans film will be the X'Mas Release for Lal. Lal is acting as an IT Professional in this film, he will be also doing Kalaripayattu in this.

Our own lalettan is celebrating his birthday on May 21st.

Alibhai Pooja will take place on lal's birth date May 21st at Vismaya Studio, Tvm. A big function has been arranged on the day.
Fans from all the districts are invited for the function. Lal will be cutting a 25kg birthday cake on the day.

Alibhai Shooting will start from May 23rd at Pollachi. 108 actors are acting in this film.

Lal has signed for Rohan Andrews new film, which is to be taken in different countries. Budget is around 5cr.

Hello Shooting continuing in Tvm. It is planned to release on Jul 5th.

Mohanlal will be going for the American Tour on August 15th.

Sibi Malayil and Bhasurachandrans film will be the X'Mas Release for Lal. Lal is acting as an IT Professional in this film, he will be also doing Kalaripayattu in this.

Alibhai will start on May 25th in Kozhikode Valiyangadi.

Sholay releasing on July 13.

Amma Film pooja taken place on April 30th at Ekm. Shooting will start from October, will be next Vishu release.

Mohanlal in Sivaji(guest role).

Mohanlal in Milan Jaleel's Film.Script Uday Krishna, Sibi K Thomas

Hello in Thiruvananthapuram.

Hello releasing on July 05.

Amritha TV awards announced, Mohanlal best Actor film: Keerthichakra, Vadakkumnathan.

Chotta Mumbai is the winner amoung Vishu release.

Sibi Malayil - Lohithadas team is planning a film with Mohanlal.

Mohanlal Sathyan Anthikkad teams up again.

Rafi Markartin's Hello started in Ottappalam on April 2 nd. Antony Perumbavoor done the switch on, Parvati Melton (Malabar Gold Ad fame) will be the Heroine.

Mohanlal got 1.25 cr for College Kumaran- highest by any Malayalam actor. Pooja will conduct on Vishu day. Shooting will start from July'07. Lal doing the role of a
college canteen operator.

Alibhai will start from May, after completing Rafi Marcartin's Hello.

Mohanlal as Mithun Madhav in Sibimalayil+Bhasurachandran film. Shooting will start from Sept 15th.

Lal is planning to act on Lohithadas film, which may be the 2008 Vishu release for lal.

Paradeshi is planned to release in May last week.

Chota Mumbai is planning to release on April 07 th by Vaishakha Movies.
Tvm-Athulya, Anjali, Ekm-Kavitha, Clt-Devison, Tcr-Ragam, Qln-Kumar, Alpy-Pankaj.

Rafi Markartin's Hello will start from April 02 th in Ottappalam, Parvathi Milton will be the Heroine.

Alibhai shooting starting from May, Gopika will be the heroine. This will be the Onam release for lal.

Sholay is planning to release on May'07

Damar Films is planning to take Keerthichakra 2nd Part in the background of Kargil war.

Hello will be distributed by Maraikar Films, will be release on July'07

Mohanlal in Adoor Gopalakrishnan Film. Padmapriya is the heroine

Mohanlal in Ranjith Film, Produced by Vishakha Films

Sreenivasan is planning his next film with Mohanlal.

Chotta Mumbai is planning to release on April 7th - Athulya,Anjali -Tvm, Kavitha Ernm - Distribution by Vaishakh Films.

Sai Kumar doing lal's fathers role in Chotta Mumbai.

Chettikulangara bharani nalil.... - famous old songs remix will be there in Chotta Mumbai.

Paradeshi's Rajasthan schedule completed.

Tara Arts Organizing Mohanlal Show in 12 different cities of US in Jul'07.

Akasagopuram last schedule on Jan8th and 9th at TVM, dubbing is proceeding at Vismaya Studio.

Ramgopal varma's Sholay will be July release.

Hello pooja completed.

Chotta Mumabi shooting started in Kochi, Mohanlal will join on Jan 10th. Shooting will be for 45 days - one schedule.

Bollywood actress Parvathi Milton will be the heroine of lal in Rafi Markartin's Hello.

Babakalyani running successfully all over Kerala, got 97 lacs share within 1 week.



Lal will come to Tvm for completing last 2 days work of Akasagopuram on Dec 28th.

Rafi Markartin Mohanlal film named Halo. Shooting from Mar'07 - Lal doing the role of an Advocate who will create cases and win those cases.
Vayalar Sarathchandra varma & Alexpaul's 7 songs will be the highlight of the film. It will be in a comedy track as Rafi Markartin's others.

Baba Kalyani releasing today.(15/12/2006)

Babakalyani - 45 prints are releasing in 60 theatres on Dec'15th.

Sholay next schedule starting from Dec 4th.

Lal planning to produce Major Ravi's next film.

Lal given his dates to Sibi Malayil and Blessy's associate director Thomas Sebastian. Boby and Sanjay will be doing the script.

Baba Kalyani is releasing on December 22.

Mohanlal in Indo-Japanese Film

In this project, Lal is playing d role of a freedom fighter named Ayyapanpilla Madhavan Nair who is a malayee and fought aganist d British Raj in Japan. Film is produced by Pal Entertainment productions in Japan and one Indian producer.Film is to be done in three languages- Malayalam, English and Japanese.Film tells abt d story in 1920-70's.This film is directed by Albert who had done 'Kanne Madaguka'.

Major Ravi - Mohanlal team again with Keerthichakra II, Aran II(Tamil version) Produced by Aashirvad Cinemas(2007 Release).Major Ravi also planning to take Keerthichakra III and Aran III.It will be releasing on 2008.Starring Mohanlal, Kamal Hassan, Vivek Oberoi.


In Cotta Mumbai Mohanlal's name is Vasco-da-Gama.The shooting will begins on January 02.

In Cotta Mumbai Mohanlal's name is Vasco-da-Gama.

Rafi Mecartin's Mohanlal film will begin in March 2007.It will be releasing on July 4.

Varavelpu goes to Bollywood

Kalabhavan Mani in Mohanlal movie Chotta Mumbai

Kireedam to be remade in Tamil.Hero Ajith

Aakashagopuram releasing on 2007 January

Mohanlal's new movie 'Cellular' script and directed by Rafi-Mecartin, producer: Joy Shakthikulangara.It will be releasing on July 2007.

Mohanlal coming by Helicopter for the first anniversary celebrations of Kerala Kaumudi

In Keerthichakra 2nd Part Lal will be doing the role of Hijacked plane's Pilot.

Babakalyani's shooting till Nov12th. Film is planned to release on Dec'15th.

Keerthichakra completed 100 days

Lal Jose planning a film with Mohanlal under the Production of Fazil. James Albert will be the script writer.

Kalabhavan Mani will be doing a role in Anwar Rasheed's 'Chotta Mumbai'. Script by Benny P Nayarambalam.(Vishu Release 2007)

Mohanlal is the most popular Malayalee ever


Mohanlal is the most popular Malayalee ever, according to a poll taken by CNN-IBN, the leading English News channel in the country.Mohanlal polled 30% of the total votes piping arch-rival Mammootty who had 22% of the votes.

The other contenders from various walks of life were the communist stalwart E.M.S Namboodiripad(17%), sprint queen P.T Usha(13%), former President K.R Narayanan(11%),and Delhi Metro Chief E. Sreedharan( 7% ).

Once again Mohanlal has proved that worldwide , he is not only the best known Keralite but also a living legend. When contacted and asked to comment on the CNN- IBN results, Mohanlal said:" I believe in unconditional love of the people and Iam getting this love back. On second thoughts i would have voted for K.R Narayanan."

Photographer hit the theatres tomarrow

Photographer is planned to release on October 24

Mohanlal Priyadarshan team up again in 2007.

Rafi Mecartin Mohanlal project will release on july 4,2007.

Adoor Gopalakrishnan planning to do a film with Mohanlal.

Shaji Kailas' Baba Kalyani started at Kochi.

Photographer is planned to release on October 20.

T S Sureh Babu's lal film name announced - 'Karthika Thirunal Karthikeyan'. Valiyaveetil Siraj will be the producer.


Shaji Kailas's Baba Kalyani started at Kochi.

Paradesi Second Schedule will be on Jan'07 at Trivandrum. Sholay second schedule will start on Oct 19th.

Photographer completed.

Lal doing double role in Photographer - as a photographer and farmer.

Mohanlal wiill join for Ramgopal Varma's Sholay on Sep 27th. First Schedule will be of 10 days. He will be doing the role of a Police Officer. He will give dates from Dec last week to Feb first week for this movie.

Thanmathra DVD/VCD got record sales on first day

Kakka Kakka fame Gautham Menon is planning a film with lal in 2007.

Shaji Kailas Baba Kalyani planned start on Oct'3rd at Ernakulam. He will be doing a police officer's role who is an ordinary policer officer on daylight and in night he will be the head of anti terrorist sqad. Script by S N Swami.

Valiyaveettil Film is planning is planning a film with TS Suresh Babu and Mahesh Mithra

KirtiChakra and Mahasamudram is fetching a 100% collection from the release centers

Alibhai will start from Sept. 10th. Mamtha will be the heroine.

Mohanlal is now being paired with Saranya main lead characters for film Photographer.


Anwar Rasheed's Chota Mumbai will be Mar 31, 2007 release.

Vadakkumnaathan Completed 100 Days.

Rasathanthram 150th day celebrated at Calicut Kadavu resort.

Paradesi will be Mar'07 release.

Major Ravi is planning to take Keertichakra 2nd part.

Akasagopuram next schedule will be at Mumbai.

Photgrapher shooting shifted to Calicut from Wayanad. New face Nithasree will be the herione.

Paradesi 2nd schedule will be on Nov at Rajasthan and Ottappalam. Lal will do the 80yr old character in this schedule.

Mohanlal & Blessy Team is Back with another project for 2007, produced by " Raagam Movies "

Roshan Andrews Decided to make NaadodiKaattu 4th part "Dasan/Vijayan " Combination in 2007. Dialogs/Story by Sreenivasan

Reviews

Chotta Mumbai
Language : Malayalam
Banner : Sree Bhadra Pictures Pvt Ltd
Director : Anwar Rasheed
Producer : Maniyanpilla Raju
Camera : Azhagappan
Story : Anwar Rasheed
Screenplay : Benny P Nayarambalam
Dialogue : Benny P Nayarambalam
Lyrics : Vayalar Sarathchandra Varma
Music : Rahul Raj
Distribution : Vishakha Release
Release : 2007 April 07
Cast : Mohanlal, Bhavana, Siddique, Kalabhavan Mani, Jagathy Sreekumar, Saikumar, Rajan P Dev, Suraj Venjaramoodu, Ramu, Narayanankutty, Kochupreman, Indrajith, Manikuttan, Bheeman Raghu, Santhosh Jogi, Vinayakan.



Chotta Mumbai is an exquisite fun film that works because it encompasses so much in two hours-life, laugher and tenderness.

Despite in wafer thin plot which is a letdown is definitely, the film manages to grip your heart with its no melodramatic content and rave performances from the lead.

Landing on a mass formula movie, director Anwar Rasheed has steered the flick with clear dictation overpowering even the star equations. Truly a director's film, which make you just sit back, relax and enjoy, rather than searching for its logic.

The story set in the Fort Kochi-Mattancherry area tells about a few happy go-lucky guys from the Chotta Mumbai Street who is into anything for making money.

The story unfolds through the narration of Vasco (Mohanlal) fondly called as "Thalai" by his gang mates who introduces his friends Chandrappan(Siddique), Tommychan(Inderjeet), 'Padakkam' Basheer (Jagathy Sreekumar), Sainu (Manikuttan ) and Susheelan (Bijuikuttan) who are presently in a deadly situation as the guy (Cochin Haneefa) who promised them employment by offering Visas to Singapore disappears with the money!.

Thalai has raised the money by pledging his house without the knowledge of his father Michael Asan (Sai Kumar), a well known wrestler who is also the moving spirit behind the Cochin carnival which takes place every year on New Year eve.

Making us remember the 87 flick Orkkapurathu, Thalai and his dad move around more like friends. Micheal Asan who is compelling Thalai to get married sends him to meet a girl Latha (Bhavana), better known as 'Parakkum Latha', an auto rickshaw driver. But Latha who wants to run away with a bus conductor Sunil (Venjaramoodu Sooraj), requests the support of Thalai for elopement, but finally on the day, she realizes that Sunilan was a pimp! Thalai who has pledged her auto's RC book by that time to pay the bank, soon falls in love with her.


And the baddies come in the form of Officer C.I Natesan (Kalabhavan Mani), who is presently under suspension and his brother (Vinayagan) who rules the city. In an event to rescue his brother from police, Natesan kills a senior police officer (Vijayaraghavan) in public road, which was witnessed by Thalai, his father and Latha.

Tomichan who has to raise money for an eye operation of his sister agree to take the blame of the killing for five lakhs. But eventually he is not paid and gets himself into jail. Soon Natesan turns against Thalai and his gang, as they are the only eye witness of the murder of the police officer. Fate also plays fowl with Thalai as he has to fallout with his father as the bank starts recovery proceedings on the day of his sister's betrothal....

The Chotta Mumbai gang is now in a more difficult situation as they have to find a way-out from the menacing Natesan, regain Thalai's house and rescue Tomichan from the police. All this leads to the thrilling, but out and out filmi climax set at the Cochin carnival.



Mohanlal as Thalai looks stunning and makes another believable and honest performance with great comic timing on screen. This is definitely one of the roles that is tailor made for him and will make his fans happy. And other competent performances also come from Jagathy, Siddhique and Manikkuttan.

And the one who stands out is Bijukutaan who utilizes this chance after Pothenvava to the fullest. Bhavana appears talkative, as 'Parakum Latha’. Kalabhavan Mani as the villain, Vijayakumari (actor Mukesh's mother) as the villain's mentally ill mom.

Chotta Mumbai thrives definitely on comedy that comes naturally from such a cast of good timers. And the technical side is the best, with mesmerizing camera of Azagappan, which keeps pace with the film.

Although a number of films have been shot in the area recently, the film bears a stunning look. And finally Donmax’s appears constrained to make a good film to edit. There are four songs in the film tuned by new guy Rahul Raj, including a re-mix of the old favorite Chetti Kulangara….which soon takes a halt after making a great intro for the hero. Most would have liked to keep the song all through as Lal is in his one of the best outings in the song. The weakest link in the film is the background score.

On the whole, Chotta mumbai is a well made film, which proves that Anwar is definitely not a one film wonder. He skillfully executes the film from one of the weakest scripts by Benny P Nayarambalam, And with Lal in another gem of a performance, the director too can sit back and enjoy the film's run at the box office.



Aye Taxi

Director : Rajendra Singh Babu

Producer : Mohan

Cinematography : Ajay Vincent

Lyrics : Mankombu

Music : Anu Malik

Year : 2007

Cast : Mohanlal, Audithya, Rakshita, Amarish Puri, Komal, Vinaya Prasad

Remember classy films like Muttina Haara, Mungaarina Minchu etc? Yes, they are by default associated with ace director Rajendra Singh Babu. But his later movies of Saar… series that went off the track made people think whether he is the same Singh Babu. So is his latest most expected, hyped movie 'Aye Taxi'that is introducing the third generation star of Singh family Auditya as hero. But it was unfortunate to see a disappointing product by Singh Babu. Though Love does not have an out of the world story line, its tolerable but the presentation makes it fall short of expectation. Looks like the director overlooked at the basic criteria assuming concoctions like exotic locations, popular personalities and musicians are more important to introduce a new hero of today's generation.

Aye Taxi has a good start. Then start the confusing scenes! All looks like in a hurry. Most of the characters enter with a self-introduction or someone else introduces them like in an old drama! It is a 'new' touch of director Singh Babu! Hero meets the heroine; turns friends; falls in love - as routine. Heroine departs from him and leaves the country; hero follows her to Dubai. There comes the super star Mohanlal as a taxi driver and then onwards, it is he who covers the screen overshadowing the hero. The question is, was Mohanlal really required for such role or was it only to spice up? However, it is good to see the super star speak Malayalam mixed Kannada (his own dubbing)! Hero comes back to India. What he did in Dubai remains hazy. Entry of Amarish Puri too comes with a self-introduction. Director Babu overlooked at certain key things in the hurried process of justifying unwanted matters. Grandfather of the hero relinquished from his family comes back from Varanasi just because of a single word from his grandson. And such anchorite turning mischievous sounds too silly and baseless.

Saving grace for the film are the locations of Banaras and Dubai, promising performance of hero Auditya, his dance skills, Rakshita in sentiment scenes, her own dubbing, Mohanlal and his Malayalam mixed Kannada dialogs and last but not the least, actress Soundarya in a framed photograph. Rest are waste - from story to music by Anu Mallik to raucous voice of Amarish Puri to heavy weight of heroine Rakshita to very poor computer graphics - the list goes on… People expecting another sensational new hero like Hritik Roshan or Nagarjun hate Love instead of loving it. However, Auditya has the acting potential, which is in his blood but needs right opportunity. He has a log way to go. Lets wish him good luck in the future at least!

Baba Kalyani

Banner : Aashirvad Cinemas

Director : Shaji Kailas

Producer : Antony Perumbavoor

Cinematography : Shaji

Story,Screenplay,Dialogue: S.N Swami

Lyrics : Vayalar Sarathchandra Varma

Music : Alex Paul

Distribution : Central Pictures Release

Year : 2006

Cast : Mohanlal, Mamta, Indrajith, Jagathy, Sai Kumar, Biju Menon, Murali

The scriptwriter who has always delivered great stuffs on investigative story lines and well known for his CBI sequels, S.N.Swamy, is uniting with Shaji Kailas - the master action film maker in Baba Kalyani. This film in which Mohanlal plays the title character, is produced by Antony Perumbavoor in the banner of Aashirvad cinemas.

The film is the thirtieth directorial venture of Shaji Kailas while S.N.Swamy is working with Mohanlal after a gap of seventeen years. Baba Kalyani which is shot in and around Cochin place Mohanlal in a full time police character after a long break.

The title of the character itself proves a material for curiousness. But our protagonist added the name of his mother Kalyani with his name, as he is very fond of his mother who has been his everything. And you know who will make the screen mother of Lal. It’s none other than Kaviyoor Ponnamma, the best loved mother and son on Malluwood screen till date. They are for the n'teenth time together in similar roles.

Baba Kalyani is a soft-spoken IPS officer who was attached to the anti-terrorism wing. He is different from the run of the mill police officers, you see on screen as his investigative approach is different. He is said to smell lawlessness. His extreme intelligence and his subtle methods, also resist him from being arrogant and provocative.

Because of reports from the Intelligence Bureau that terrorists are planning a series of bomb blasts in Kerala, Baba Kalyani is posted to law and order to investigate the situation.

Assisting him are Circle Inspector Thomas Chandy and Sub-Inspector Ramanan. And he is reporting to I.G.Bose V.Ninan who is a fatherly figure to Baaba. As his eyes prey for the terrorist activities, he finds a group whose mysterious activities forces him to follow them. And he is in the right direction as new revelations arise one after another, which leads them to the door of some one very high in the echelons of power. Their investigation meets with numerous hurdles as the power elites try to clear off Baba.

In course of his work, he makes some very powerful enemies. One of them, before his death, gets Baba Kalyani transferred to Kochi, which also happens to be the gangster's stronghold. The idea is to bring Baba Kalyani to Kochi and kill him.

Do the terrorists succeed in their scheme? How does Baba Kalyani thwart them? The film is a thrilling answer to these questions.

Mohanlal does the role of Baba Kalyani in the film, with Biju Menon and Jagathy Sreekumar doing the roles of Thomas Chandy and Ramanan respectively. Venu Nagavally appear after a long time, as I.G. Bose.

Mamta, the lead lady of the film, plays the role of Advocate Bharathi, a one time classmate of Baba Kalyani, who went on to study Law while Baba himself joined the police force. Shaji wields the camera while Don Max does the editing. While Baba Kalyani is an investigative story, it also promises to be a wholesome family entertainer. The music department of the film is handled by Vayalar Sarathchandra Varma and Alex Paul. The film, distributed by Central pictures, will be the Xmas offering of Mohanlal.



PHOTOGRAPHER

Banner : Dream Team Productions

Director : Ranjan Pramod

Producer : Howli Pottur

Cinematography : Azhagappan

Story,Screenplay,Dialogue: Ranjan Pramod

Lyrics : Kaithapram

Music : Johnson

Distribution : Dream Team Release

Year : 2006

Cast : Mohanlal, Nitha Sree, Saranya, Biju Menon, Manoj K Jayan, Murali, Mamukoya

First and foremost, Mohanlal’s Photographer is out of focus! What was writer-director Ranjan Pramod thinking, while making this unbearable documentary, taking a slice out of the Muthanga incident in Wynad? Mohanlal has never been presented so shoddily on screen as he is saddled with an asinine role.

It is hard to write what the film is all about. Here is why…. Dijo John (Mohanlal) is a nature photographer who manages to get his photographs published in prestigious magazines like ‘National Geographic”. He is happily married to a Brahmin girl Satya (Nityasree) and has a young son.

One day on an assignment in Wynad he saves an adivasi boy Thammi from police bullets. The entire adivasi village is ravaged by cops killing many people. An enquiry is ordered by state Chief Minister (Venu Nagavally) and Forest Minister (Biju Menon). The circle inspector (Manoj. K.Jayan) who ordered the firing is dismissed and nothing much comes out of the enquiry commission report, as adivasis still lives in fear and their issues are not sorted out.

Meanwhile Thammi who was put in a juvenile home goes missing and Dijo goes into the forest to track him down. He too goes missing and all hell breaks lose. Dijo’s younger brother Joy (Mohanlal) a happy-o-lucky rich planter and a pulp writer who has a publication try to investigate but nothing comes out. Later Dijo is found walking around the forest in a dazed condition as he realizes that his fight for the rights of adivasi is a futile exercise.

The film will not appeal to any section of the audience even to die-hard Mohanlal fans. No one can grasp what Ranjan Pramod was talking about and the film crawls at snail pace. Suddenly a new Mohanlal appearing and talking very similar to his comedy characters in Priyadarsan or Sathyan Anthikkad films in the 80’s is a attempt by the director to cash in on Mohanlal’s image.

And abruptly the story switches back to Dijo character who walks around in the forest like Zombie! The audience as well as Mohanlal does not know what’s going on here??? The director has no clue about the Muthanga incident, wild life photography and most important how to make a film!!! There is no semblance of either style or substance. The major fault is that Photographer lacks a script and whatever the director has tried to convey has no logic. It is an amateurish attempt by Ranjan.

The only saving grace is Azhagappan’s camera work which captures Wynad in a documentary style. And why was Saranya Bhagyaraj a part of the film? At one part of the film towards the long drawn out climax Mohanlal mumbles- “Etha Swapnam, Etha Satyam..? “ It is exactly the audience sentiments, and in a way succinctly sums up this embarrassingly bad film.

No two ways about it, Photographer is an unmitigated endurance test at 2 hours 25 minutes. That is if you dare to go!



MAHASAMUDRAM

Banner : Revathy Kalamandir Pvt Ltd

Director : Dr.S. Janardhanan

Producer : Suresh Kumar. G

Cinematography : Shaji

Story,Screenplay,Dialogue: Dr.S. Janardhanan

Lyrics : Kaithapram

Music : M. Jayachandran

Distribution : Seven Arts Release

Year : 2006

Cast : Mohanlal, Laila, Rahman, Jagadheesh, Jagathy, Innocent, Sai Kumar, Niyas, Gopakumar, Babu Raj, Kalasala Babu.

What is the safest way to make a box-office hit in Malayalam? Hire Mohanlal and get to rework his mass formula- a larger-than-life do gooder, punch line dialogues, some adipoli songs plus at least four kidilan fight scenes!

The magic formula works once again in Mahsamudram a film strictly for his fans directed by Dr S.Janardhanan, a television serial maker who has nothing new to offer. In fact Janardhanan has helped himself by taking scenes from various films and the climax is a straight lift from a Telugu film Sye. And Innocent’s character reminds you so much of what he had done earlier in Sathyan Anthikkad’s Manasinakkare.

Still, the film is a watchable as it is racy and the plot mixture of high seas romance and action along with an adrenaline pumping football match. But sadly Mohanlal’s first attempt in 26 years to be a fisherman is no patch on other sea faring movies in Malayalam like the classic Chemeen or Mammootty’s brilliant Amaram.

Isahak (Mohanlal) is a Christian fisherman with a heart of gold and looks after the entire expenses of an old-age home run by a priest (Jagathy Sreekumar), where his mentally challenged father Velankani (Innocent) is an inmate. Isahak is a cool guy who is also the star football player for his club ‘Beach Eleven’ of Puthenkara, their rivals are ‘Seven Star’ from Mattukara another fishing village controlled by bad guys. Ishahak falls in love with Devi (Laila) of Mattukara and her brother (Riza Bava) swears revenge.

They wed in the high seas and plan to spend their first night on the boat but her brother plans to cremate them there, which accidentally leads to Devi killing her brother in the melee. Devi is arrested and sent to jail, which leave Isahak heart broken and melancholic. Meanwhile the bad guys kidnap Velankani and the ransom demand is that Isahak should not play the crucial match for ‘Beach Eleven’ in a tournament! At the same time, Devi comes out on parole and Isahak is caught between his love for her and duty towards his father and team which leads to a gripping climax.

There is a huge star cast of supporting actors like Rahman, Jagadheesh, Niyas, Sai Kumar, Krishna Prasad, Indrans among others. Shaji’s camera especially the football scene shots of Mohanlal’s introduction scene and the way he heads a goal are fantastic. Janadhanan himself has written the dialogues including the punch line which Mohanlal says during a game when it gets rough- Pankayam pidicha kaiyum, Goal Adicha kalum aanu… As usual there is one good melody tuned by M.Jayachandran Kando Kando… Kadal Kandittu… sung by Venugopal and Chitra being the pick of the lot.

There is absolutely no chemistry between Mohanlal and Laila, as she looks fragile and timid with hardly anything to do. Mohanlal does his usual superman act and steers this uneven film on his broad shoulders to the winning post. At the best, Mahasamudram is just a time pass Mohanlal masala for Onam sadya



KIRTICHAKRA

Banner : Super Good Films Pvt(Ltd)Mohanlal
Director : Major Ravi
Producer : R.B.Chowdhary
Cinematography : S.Thiru
Story, Screenplay, Dialogue : Major Ravi
Lyrics : Gireesh Puthenchery
Music : Joshwa Sreedar
Distribution : Remya Release
Year : 2006
Cast : Mohanlal,Jeeva,Lakshmi Gopalaswami, Gopika, Sai Kumar, Nawab, Biju Menon,Shammi Thilakan,Cochin Haneefa,Spadikam George,Baby Sanusha, Baiju Ezhupunna, Swetha Menon.

Mohanlal’s Kirtichakra is slick, fast paced action movie set against the backdrop of army among an elite commando group fighting insurgency in Kashmir. Director Major Ravi himself an army man has paid rigorous attention to the minute details in the recreation of an operation against terrorists.

Kirtichakra moves at rapid pace (2 hours 9 min) and the bickering and bonding between men of honour from various states in India is well documented with some finely honed out performance from Mohanlal, Jeeva and Shammi Thilakan. The movie strikes a chord as it is straight from the heart as it is made by a writer who has seen the ugly face of terrorism in Kashmir.

Major Mahadevan (Mohanlal) is an honest, dedicated and fearless officer who heads an elite force in Kashmir against terrorist. Militants led by Afghani Nawab along with his group of mercenaries have come to Kashmir valley with a mission to blow up the holy Hazarathbal Mosque and create communal tension in the country. How Major Mahadevan and his buddies thwart Nawab’s plan forms the rest of the story.

Like Hollywood movies made on the US army and buddy-buddy friendship between an officer and his men, Kirtichakra is about the male bonding between Major Mahadevan (Mohanlal) and Jaikumar (Jeeva). Mahadevan is a veteran who has seen the ugly face of terrorism which has wiped his family (Lakshmi Gopalaswamy) off. The way Major Mahadevan puts his colleagues at ease like Krishna Kumar (Shammi Thilakan) who has an aversion to blood is well shot.

The film pulls at your heart strings as Ravi is able to convey what is happening in Kashmir at the ground level and how the centre is shying away from tackling the issue fearing communal backlash. How ordinary Muslim families in the valley are Indian at heart and does not care really for the Jihadi war is also essayed well by the director who shows the plight of Kashmiri family whose members are brutally raped and killed by the foreign mercenaries masquerading as Azadis. It’s a very brutal scene which could have been trimmed a bit.

The highlight of Kirtichakra is its spell binding climax which is getting the maximum claps especially the scene where Mohanlal is saved by Jeeva who dies in his lap. The punch line dialogues between Mohanlal and the ace terrorist Nawab also gives the film a patriotic fervor. Kirtichakra is given to Jaikumar posthumously at the end of the film though in the acting department Mohanlal walks away with all the accolades. His performance as Major Mahadevan is a tribute to our brave soldiers fighting the unknown terrorists. Watch his lips dry up in the emotional scene and his breakdown when his buddy is shot dead or the scene where his family is wiped off by a terrorist bomb.

Jeeva the Tamil actor has a more heroic role which he has done with felicity. The physical energy he imparts to the role has to be seen to be believed. Shammi Thilakan in a cameo as Krishna Kumar is a revelation. Lakshmi Gopalaswamy and Gopika have walk-in roles. Technically, Kirtichakra is chic with Thiru’s outstanding camerawork with Joshua Sridhar’s melodious music.

If you have an appetite for stark and angst and to be a part of an army man’s anguish and ruminations, go watch Kirtichakra.



VADAKKUMNATHAN

Banner : Baba CreationsMohanlal, Padmapriya

Director : Shajoon Karial

Producer : A.V.Govindankutty

Cinematography : S.Kumar

Story,Screenplay,Dialogue,Lyrics : Gireesh Puthenchery

Music : Raveendran

Distribution : Sagariga Release

Year : 2006

Cast : Mohanlal, Padmapriya, Biju Menon, Murali, Shammi Thilakan, Vineeth, Risa Bava, Babu Namboothiri, Madambu Kunjukuttan, Vijayan Peringodu, Kaviyoor Ponnamma, Kavya Madhavan, Sona Nair, Remadevi, Saaddique, Sree Raman, Sreeja Chandran.

Vadakkumnathan is a gutsy and gritty endeavour from debutant scriptwriter and lyrist Gireesh Puthenchery and director Shajoon Karial. It is Mohanlal’s third film this year where he tries to cater to the taste of the family audience by making a sensible film.

In the age of shallow and fraudulent mass masala and larger-than-life heroes, Mohanlal had the guts to be a part of an aesthetically well-made film, with outstanding music that haunts you even after you leave the hall. Hats off to late Raveendran who has given some great songs plus the lead actors who have given life-like performances.

The film opens with a mother and son (Kaviyoor Ponnamma and Biju Menon) coming to Hardwar to perform last rites of her elder son who had run away from home and is believed to have died. But the mother sees her long lost son on the banks of River Ganga and takes him back to the family. He is Bharath Pisharody (Mohanlal) a brilliant Sanskrit professor who is respected and loved by everyone including his cousin and lover Meera (Padmapriya). But on his day of marriage he runs away leaving behind a heart-broken Meera and her father (Murali).

Now Pisharody is different man and his family and friends believes that he is on drugs. But actually, the man is mentally disturbed as he suffers from deep depression. Soon his brother discover papers relating to his treatment for mental illness from his locked suitcase. Now everyone starts seeing him in a different way, which leads to the final twist. How Meera helps him come out of this difficult situation in life forms the rest of the gripping tale.

A thoroughly life-like performance from Mohanlal lifts the film to great heights. As the brilliant professor Bharatha Pisharody, his body language, mannerisms, innocent and shy smile during the romantic interludes and his blank look at times of mental imbalance are a delight to watch. Padmapriya as his devoted lover has an author-backed role and she comes up with an insightful performance that captures the nuances of the character and proves that she is an actress of substance.

Kavya Madhavan as Pisharody’s sister is good while everyone in supporting cast like Murali, Kaviyoor Ponnamma, Babu Namboothiri and others gives their best. The camera of S.Kumar and song picturisation is eye catching. Malayalam cinema will definitely miss late music director Raveendran whose melodies like “ Oru Kili Pattu Moolave…”, “Kalabham…” and “Gange…” makes the film a musical odyssey.

On the down side, the film is a bit too long and editor Hariharaputran could have made it a bit more crisp. Though the basic theme seems to be inspired from Ron Howard’s A Beautiful Mind, Gireesh Puthenchery who has written the story, screenplay and lyrics need to be congratulated along with director Shajoon Karial for Indianising it and coming out with a clean family film.

Vadakkumnathan is superior cinema that deserves to be encouraged.


RASATHANTHRAM

Banner : Ashirvad CinemasMohanlal, Meera Jasmine

Director : Sathyan Anthikkad

Producer : Antony Perumbavoor

Cinematography : Azhagappan

Story, Screenplay, Dialogue : Sathyan Anthikkad

Lyrics : Gireesh Puthenchery

Music : Illayaraja

Distribution : Central Pictures Release

Year: 2006

Cast : Mohanlal,Meera Jasmine,Bharat Gopi, Siddique, Innocent, Jagathy Sreekumar, Oduvil Unnikrishnan, Mammukoya, Mukesh, KPSC Lalitha, Bindu Panicker, TP Radhamani, Manisha, Anoop, Sree Kumar.

The chemistry or the Rasathantram between Mohanlal and director Sathyan Anthikkad is as bubbling as it was 12 years back. Savour the feel and emotions in a typical Sathyan film. Don’t look for great cinema, just enjoy as nice guys may lose initially but they end up as winners in the end.

Sathyan follows his time tested formula of a light hearted first half full of humour and a heavy latter half loaded with sentiments. There is nothing new in the Sathyan formula and in fact it is a rehash of his earlier characters and films.

Premachandran (Mohanlal) is the middle class friendly neighbourhood Mr Nice Guy who goes out of his way to make life better for others. He is extremely hardworking and devoted to his work as a carpenter and is an expert in Vaastu shastra. The man virtually lives for others with his gang of expert carpenters Manikandan Asari (Innocent) and others.

People in the village have blind faith in Premachandran and he stays with his father whom he calls Master (Gopi) a retired teacher. His neighbour (KPAC Lalitha), her daughter who has a silent admiration for him, house owner (Oduvil Unnikrishnan) a failed carpenter (Mamukoya) are the other people in the village.

One day while repairing the house of a rich contractor Roy Joseph (Sreekumar) Premachandran comes across Kanmani (Meera Jasmine) the maid servant who is like a slave in the house. He saves her from suicide and due to certain circumstances he disguises Kanmani as a boy Velayudhan Kutty and she comes to live in his house.

But one day police nab her after a complaint from Roy. In the court she blurts out that she is in love with Premachandran creating fresh problems for the man. Actually Premachandran has a past as he has taken upon himself a murder committed by someone else to save his sister’s honour! Now Premachandran has to look after Kanmani, the burden of his father and the entire village which has been evicted by the government for a power project.

The problem with Rasathantram is that it lacks a story but works on the Sathyan formula of Mohanlal as a do-gooder and provides comedy and sentiments in the right dose. Mohanlal is simply superb and his comedy timing, controlled emotions and outburst in the climax take the film to great heights. The scene where he removes the roof tiles and accidentally sees Meera taking a bath brings the house down (No actor can beat Mohanlal in such chammalscenes!).

Meera is perfect foil for Mohanlal and she does a great comedy act. As Velayudhan Kutty in disguise, her body language is a treat to watch. The way she falls for Premachandran and slowly makes him interested in her can be done only by a versatile actress like Meera. Sathyan regulars –Innocent, Oduvil, Mamukoya all are good. In the climax, Jagathy’s character is a bit contrived. Gopi as Mohanlal’s father is a right choice as the father-son emotional scenes are well handled.

Technically Rasathantram is far superior to previous Sathyan films. The director has paid more attention to the camera movements and outdoor locations near Thodupuzha are eye catching thanks to Azhagappan. Added to this, music score by Ilayaraja are all melodies especially the “ Attinkara Orathil…Chattal Mazha…” sung by Manjari and picturised on the lead pair in Vakamon being the pick of the album.

On the downside, the film drags especially in the second half and is too lengthy at 2 hours 40 minutes. The comedy and gags could have been scripted with a little more zing and credibility. Meera’s character almost disappears in the second half as the focus shifts to father-son sentiments. And even a new born baby can predict the end!

But what saves the film is the overall packaging by Sathyan and the way he has made it like ‘Saravana Bhavan thali meals’ with something for everyone in the family and is sure to provide entertainment to all. And at the end and you come out of the theatre smiling, it is only due to Mohanlal as nobody can do comedy so naturally.



THANMATRA

Banner : Century FilmsMohanlal, Meera Vasudev

Director : Blessy

Producer : Raju Mathew

Camera : Sethu Sree Ram

Story, Screenplay, Dialogue : Blessy

Lyrics : Kaithapram

Music : Mohan Sithara

Distribution : Century Films Release

Year : 2005

Cast : Mohanlal, Meera Vasudev, Nedumudi Venu, Jagathy, Arjun Lal, Baby Niranjana, Innocent, Manka Mahesh, Prathap Pothen, Shoba.

At a time when crass commercials rule Malayalam cinema, Blessy has been successful to deliver a film with the right sensitivity and restraint required when sketching an intimate portrait of a man doomed by Alzheimer disease.

If further proof is required that Mohanlal is India’s finest actor, watch him in Tanmatra as Ramesan Nair. His anguish, agony and anxiety as he dreams big about his son, but gets inflicted by Alzheimer. The actor is mesmerizing and has given his best-ever performance since Vanaprastham and re-invents the idiom of acting once more with feeling.

Ramesan (Mohanlal) is an officer at the state secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram who has a 9 to 5 job in which he is honest, hardworking and goes by the rule book. His happy family consists of wife Lekha (Meera Vasudev), teenage son Manu who is preparing for the crucial 12th standard exams and a little daughter.

Ramesan is a good husband and the perfect dad for his children. His colleagues and friends envy them and the way Ramesan guides his son Manu who is an all rounder in sports, cultural activities and is the best student in school. Joseph (Jagathy Sreekumar), a colleague is Ramesan’s friend, philosopher and guide who get things done.

Ramesan’s big dream is to see his son prepare for civil service exams and get an IAS, something which he was not able to achieve in spite of being a very bright student himself. Ramesan slowly discovers that he often forgets small things in life and consults a doctor (Pratap Pothen) who dismisses it off as tension seen in parents about their ward’s exams and future!

But one day life turns topsy-turvy in a bizarre incident at office; Ramesan is hospitalized and is diagnosed for Alzheimer’s disease that causes loss of memory, intellectual decline, changes in personality and behaviour and an increased dependence on others. The rest of the film is how Lekha, Ramesan’s father (Nedumudi Venu) and especially Manu faces this big crisis as Ramesan takes voluntary retirement and goes back to his ancestral home where he was born and brought up.

Tanmatra asserts that Blessy is a path-breaking writer-director, one to be admired and concerned about. He has been able to convey an individual coping with his middle-class urban life suddenly devastated by a dreaded disease. Blessy has also brought out the relationship of Ramesan with his father as well as his son and in the end when Manu is being interviewed by the Civil Service board he says it all- “My father has been my biggest inspiration”.

Above all, it is Mohanlal’s performance which is the major highlight of the film. Meera Vasudev is simply terrific as Lekha who gives love and support to her husband till the end. The chemistry between the lead pair is touching and honest. Arjun as Manu is the scene stealer and has the making of a good actor. Jagathy Sreekumar and Nedumudi Venu have once again proved that they are the best. Kaithapuram’s lyrics and Mohan Sitara’s music creates the right mood. Sethu Sriram’s camera work is marvelous.

Tanmatra is an intelligent, insightful and unconventional film. It is a touching, thought-provoking drama for sophisticated audiences.



NARAN

Banner : Aashirwad CinemasMohanlal

Director : Joshy

Producer : Antony Perumbavoor

Camera : Shaji

Story, Screenplay, Dialogue : Ranjan Pramod

Lyrics : Kaithapram

Music : Deepak Dev

Distribution : Central Pictures Release

Year : 2005

Cast Mohanlal, Jagathy, Innocent, Siddique, Madhu, Devayani, Bhavana, Sona Nair, Bheeman Raghu, Salim Kumar, Vijeesh, Keerikkadan Jose, Rekha

If you thought that you have seen all the nuances of a calibrated performance from Mohan Lal, you are wrong. There is still a lot more of Mohanlal Mania to be seen and savoured in Naran, directed by Joshi.

Veteran director and his script writer Ranjan Pramod uses Mohanlal's larger-than-life image and blends it with the milieu, successfully in this action adventure film laced with sentiments. It is old wine in a new tetra pack with hardly any story or twists but the great man simply lights up the screen with his sheer presence.

And Mohanlal creates a brand new assembly of speaking frames, where words become irrelevant the face speaks. The actor uses his eyes and body language to express it all- anger, dismay, rage, anguish, affection, gratitude and love. Mohanlal the actor and superstar makes Naran a gripping story of grief and heroism due to his powerful performance.

Mullankolli is a interior rustic village, near a river. Velayudhan (Mohanlal) is an orphan who came floating on a reef during floods and he was brought up by Valiya Nambiar (Madhu) a do-gooder and a feudal landlord of the area.

Velayudhan grows up into a riff-raff, drunkard and a local rowdy with a good heart. He hates injustice and has set his own rules for the villagers who are scared of him including local moneylender and politician 'member' Kurup (Jagathy). Gopinathan Nambiar (Siddique) son-in-law of Valliya Nambiar who wants to lord over the village in his own way.

When Velayudhan plants a stick like lord Murugan's Vel, it means that it has his stamp of authority. The only man who he listens to is Valiya Nambiar and to a certain extent Kelappan (Innocent) who looked after him as a child. The villagers including Kurup and Gopinathan regularly bring goondas from outside the village to eliminate Velayudhan but they fail. There are three women in his life- a prostitute Kunnil Shanta( Sona Nair) old flame Janaki( Devayani) and Kelappan's daughter Leela (Bhavana). But things turn bleak for Velayudhan due to the machinations of Gopinathan which leads to the climax.

The only aim of producer Antony Perumbavor, director Joshi and writer Ranjan Pramod is to somehow cash in on Mohanlal image during the Onam season and make a hit. The music of Deepak dev is hummable especially the Kavadi number, though there is only two songs. But what makes the film look fresh is the Hogennakal and Polachi locations and the art work of Joseph Nellikal and camera of Shaji is top notch mainly all the river and underwater scenes.

On the downside, post interval the film drags and it is a bit mushy and has really no story to say. The entire film runs on Mohanlal's image and characterization. Still if you are a fan of Mohanlal, go for Naran, he is mesmerizing!

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